Carl Kidwell – Artist & Writer – His Life, Illustrations and Stories

I first came across Carl Kidwell as the illustrator of William Byron Mowery’s SAGAS OF THE MOUNTED POLICE. I’d never heard of Carl, but I liked his book cover artwork and set out to find more about him.

I discovered an interesting artist…

American author and illustrator Carl Edmund Kidwell was born in Washington, Daviess County, Indiana on August 8, 1910. At that time Daviess County was a thriving farming area, including many Amish communities. And Carl’s hometown was a major depot and repair yard for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which provided some local employment.

Carl was one of a dozen children from his father’s two marriages, and the second-youngest child. He was closest to his brother Logan, two years younger than Carl — together they used to sit out on the front porch, happily playing music together. Their music would often draw an audience of family, friends and neighbors.

Due to illness in his teens, Carl missed out on formal education but took the free time to discover his artistic skills.

After he recovered, he entered the work force at a number of jobs, including soda jerk, bellhop, railway coach painter and, for a year, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

It was the Depression, and work was hard to find.

Carl and Logan decided to become travelling photographers. They bought an old car and a camera, made a passable photo both and traveled around the countryside. For the next few years, they would set their booth up at fairs, carnivals and amusement parks. They developed the photos on the spot. Charging a quarter for three photos.

It was Logan who first joined the Navy in the late 30’s.

Carl joined next, serving as a radioman.

His first ship was the heavy cruiser USS Quincy, where he joined his brother Logan, already stationed there.

They cruised the Atlantic from the Caribbean islands to the Canadian Arctic, where they thrilled at the sights of huge icebergs and the Northern Lights. They even shared shore leave at African ports. “It was a crowded and eventful year, and I’ve always been grateful for it,” Carl later wrote in a letter.

After Pearl Harbor, Carl was re-assigned to another ship. On August 9, 1942, the Quincy was sunk, a victim of enemy action off Guadalcanal. Logan was lost in the attack. Years later, approaching his 80th birthday, Carl wrote, “As long ago as it was, it is still so real and vivid in my mind. Logan and I were always very close, and even after all this time, I still miss him.”

Carl served on three other ships (two of which, including the USS Indianapolis, were also later sunk) before being transferred full-time to the US Naval Training Center in Miami, Florida.

He began to spend most of his off-duty hours sketching the ships, his crewmates and the seascapes around him.

Carl’s first illustrations appeared in The Chaser, a monthly newsletter from the Naval Training Center (left: Carl’s cover of the March 16, 1945 edition), and in Our Navy, a Standard publication of the US Navy, for public distribution.

Early commercial sales were “Sketched on a Sub Chaser” in the March 20, 1943 issue of the weekly magazine Liberty and “From a Sailor’s Sketchbook” in the October, 1943 issue of The Blue Book Magazine. He sold a few more through the war years to Blue Book.

Living on his own in the challenging postwar years, Carl became a professional freelance illustrator, producing both magazine and book illustrations as well as cover art.

Carl sold artwork to a number of science fiction, mystery and horror titles such as Other Worlds Science Stories, Weird Tales, Startling Mystery Stories and Magazine of Horror.

And created the cover artwork for hardcover books in the adventure, historical and Western fields. [1]

In the late Fifties, Carl Kidwell developed a fascination with early Mexico, its landscape and people of pre-colonial history. Perhaps he was inspired while researching his painting for the dust jacket art of the Bouregy & Curl edition of William Hopson’s CRY VIVA!

He not only sketched and created the illustrations, but wrote two books about Mexico: ARROW IN THE SUN and THE ANGRY EARTH.

“To shoot an arrow into the sun, one must climb a lofty mountain.” The story of ARROW IN THE SUN (Viking Press, New York, 1961) reminds me of Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. Although Carl wrote about the Aztecs, not Mayans, the themes were similar. Hidden in the jungle of the Valley of Mexico, Prince Netzah watched the terrible slaughter of his father, King of Acolhuacan… What follows is a story of waiting — and vengeance.

Also set in the Valley of Mexico, THE ANGRY EARTH tells the story of Blackwing, a young man captured in a bloody slave raid. He was sold in the market at The Place of Song and Dance to a farming family. His mixed feelings for his owners would be tested when an earthquake and volcanic eruption destroys their land.

With these two books, Carl showed he was an original storyteller.

He also wrote and illustrated GRANADA, SURRENDER! A story about a young man who, hoping to join Columbus on his adventurous voyage, becomes embroiled in the Siege of Granada — the Spanish battle to drive the Moors from Spain.

Carl, who never married, passed at age 92 in New York City.

His artwork survives.

Here’s the Kidwell book cover I spoke of:

In 1953, Bouregy & Curl Inc published SAGAS OF THE MOUNTED POLICE, collecting eight short stories by best selling Northwestern writer William Byron Mowery.

For SAGAS, Carl Kidwell painted a mutiple-scene cover somewhat in the style of artists who had once painted popular murals and pictorial maps — like Stephen J Voorhies, who had done the cover art for William Mowery’s first Mountie collection, THE LONG ARM OF THE MOUNTED.

The upper left corner of the Kidwell’s SAGAS cover, for instance, shows an encounter of some Mounties with Sitting Bull’s Sioux when the war chief had sought refuge in Canada following the Little Bighorn. The other scenes blend together in an almost patriotic poster motif of a people looking to the promised future of the West, including a Mountie holding a woman in a blue and white dress.

In his Foreword to this edition, Mowery wrote: “Most of these stories, since their original magazine appearance, have been published in various high-school and college English texts. I have a suspicion that it was the character of the Police heroes and fascination of the Canadian plains, Rockies and the North…that led to their being selected as examples of the raconteur‘s art…”

And also because Mowery was one of the finest writers to chose the history of the North-West Mounted as his theme. Although his mention of that “fascination” also shows the immense popularity that our Canadian Mounties once had in national and in world culture.

The Notes about the Author on the back cover of SAGAS, by the way, say that Mowery taught at McGill University, Montreal — a fact I’ve been unable to verify. They also say that Mowery “shot a bear when he was eight years old but says that he couldn’t read or write until he was around fourteen.”

Now here’s a mystery:

Nine years later, Bouregy reprinted SAGAS OF THE MOUNTED POLICE through its new paperback subsidiary, Airmont Books. The Airmont line tended to also reprint the artwork from the original hardcovers. But this paperback edition had a new cover illustration and the artist was uncredited. Could have been Carl Kidwell, but not certain. Carl had done a number of Western covers for Bouregy over those years…

As with SAGAS, the cover had a multiple-scene motif, but simpler. This time one of action (fist fight) and romance (Mountie holding woman in blue and white dress).

On the back cover, over a line drawing of a Mountie gazing at a forest-rimmed lake and soaring mountains beyond it, Airmont stated: “The stories in this book are of the early Northwest Mounted…

“William Byron Mowery knew the Northwest and he knew many of these men. He met them in the twilight of their lives, at their Calgary reunions and visited them in their homes — and out of the incidents related at these meetings, and the spirit of the men themselves, have come these tales.”

Books well worth collecting, mon ami, for the writing and for the artwork.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Did You Enjoy This Post?

IF SO, YOU’VE GOT TO SEE “THE WRITERS OF THE NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE” — MY MOST POPULAR LITERARY HISTORY POST:

“Thanks for a wonderful in-depth article on Mountie fiction. I’m a big fan of the Mounties and I really enjoyed the amount of details you provided and found many, many more books to put on my wish list.” Jack

“I just discovered your blog recently and need to dig deeper into it. That post on Mountie fiction is great.” James Reasoner

When our Canadian Mounted Police first arrived in the lawless Wild West, they soon entered our National Mythology. A look at the many writers who helped create that heroic Mythology. Including William Byron Mowery. And richly illustrated with vibrant book and magazine covers. FREE TO READ ==> The GREATEST AUTHORS OF NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE FICTION

[1] Books illustrated by Carl Kidwell include:

RENEGADE SHERIFF by W C Tuttle
STOLEN BY INDIANS by Dorothy Heiderstadt
SMOKE JUMPERS by Nels Jorgensen
THE BARREL by Ester Wier
ISLAND GHOST by Janet Randall
TRUE ADVENTURE OF SPIES by Manuel Komroff
SMUGGLERS’ ISLAND by Martha C King
POSSE OF TWO by Gertrude Bell
BUFFALO GRASS by C L Murphy
THE DARK OF THE CAVE by Ernie Rydberg
SUN EAGLE by Geraldine Wyatt
TO SURVIVE WE MUST BE CLEVER by Gertrude E FinneyBIG LEAGUE SANDLOTTERS by William R Cox
ALFRED AND THE SAINT by Priscilla D Willis
THE RACE BETWEEN THE FLAGS by Priscilla D Willis
THE SWAMP FOX by Marion Marsh Brown
WINDS OF REBELLION by Ernest Haycox
CRY VIVA! by William Hopson
THIS RANGE IS MINE by Paul Evan
THE REDBIRDS ARE FLYING by May Nelson
THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT SWAMP by Marjorie A Zapf

Every Animal Matters! No More Fur Coats! New Fur Trade “Best & Worst” Report from Born Free USA…

As much as I’ve prowled the forevergreen forest, I’ve only seen a wild Lynx up close once. We surprised each other. And for a long moment we watched each other. That animal, with its black-tufted ears and deep golden eyes was the most beautiful cat I’ve ever seen. And then it was gone…

It’s been five years since I first put my most controversial post online. It said this:

“We have beavers — and their dams — at the lower corner of our property. And love to watch them swimming and playing. If you’ve ever heard a beaver kit calling out with its comical, human babylike cry, you couldn’t help but respond with a warm laugh.”

Innocent enough, eh?

After all, the Beaver has always been our National Animal. But then I said this:

“You must remember that Canadians didn’t pick the beaver as our national symbol in the first place. The Hudson’s Bay Company did. The London-based HBC made its fortune on the furs and skins harvested in colonial Canada, including the rich beaver pelts that were shipped to England to be made into those fashionable beaver felt hats for the well-heeled gentlemen of the age.

“Beavers weren’t cute, industrious and ecologically essential creatures to the company managers and shareholders of the day; they were raw material. As an image, the Beaver was really a symbol of foreign corporate greed…”

And the bird poop caught a gust of gale-force wind. Especially when I went on to explain why our Canadian National Animal should now be the Polar Bear! [1]

I’ve nothing against traditional hunting, fishing and trapping for food and existence. My father, born on a Nova Scotia farm, did it. And he did it expertly and humanely. He taught me how. I CAN do it — I choose not to.

No, it’s the bloody Commercial Fur Trade that has outlived its time and should be hung out to dry.

In Canada, wild animals that are still commercially trapped for their skins include the badger, bear (yes, even grumpy, comical bears), bobcat, cougar, coyote, fisher, fox, hare, marten, mink, muskrat, otter, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, weasel, wolves and the wolverine. Yes, and the beaver, still. And the beautiful lynx.

South of the border, the list is just as extensive. But our American friends are doing something about it, bless ’em…

BORN FREE USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, has released its 2017 Trapping Report, which gives a “letter grade to each of the 50 U.S. states based on the existence and effectiveness of the state’s animal trapping regulations on animal welfare, wildlife conservation and public safety.” [2]

Prashant K. Khetan, CEO and general counsel for Born Free USA, explained in a news release, “Indiscriminate body-crushing traps are used to capture or kill furbearing animals who are deemed a ‘nuisance’ or who are valued only for the fur on their backs.

“In many instances, animals are caught in these brutal traps, but remain trapped for days, slowly dying while subject to the elements, other animals, physical pain and emotional torture. And both targeted and non-targeted animals—including household pets and endangered species—fall victim to these traps.

“While our report card applauds the states that are leading the way to end trapping, we must also ask ourselves, ‘what kind of a society allows this senseless butchering of our beloved wildlife to continue year after year?’ It must end. And end now.”

The report card is compiled by “reviewing the laws of each individual state on a variety of different trapping-related topics and then, using a weighted point system, assigning individual letter grades and a final weighted grade to each state.

“Grades also include positive marks for prohibiting the trapping of bobcats and otters, two species native to most states but vulnerable to overexploitation.”

According to Born Free USA’s analysis, only four states received an “A” grade or better:

“As the report clearly shows, most states don’t have good laws on trapping,” Khetan noted. “We’re working to shed light on the issue and help the states who are most interested in turning around their legislation.”

For those who are interested in standing up against trapping, Khetan recommends that they:

[2] About Born Free USA: Born Free believes that every animal matters. Inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, Born Free, we work locally, nationally and internationally on the conservation frontlines, in communities, classrooms, courtrooms and the halls of Congress, to end wild animal cruelty and suffering, and protect threatened wildlife. Born Free USA also operates one of the country’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, which provides a permanent home for 600 primates. Many are retired from research facilities, some rescued from inhumane conditions at circuses, zoos and private ownership. They have often endured a lifetime of abuse, neglect and cruelty. But at our sanctuary in Dilley, Texas, they are safe and live free.

Launched in 2002, Born Free USA is inspired by Virginia McKenna and her (late) husband Bill Travers, who, along with their son, Will, founded The Born Free Foundation (UK) in 1984. Their experience in Kenya filming the classic 1966 Academy Award-winning film Born Free, the story of Joy and George Adamson’s fight to successfully return Elsa the lioness to a wild and free life, launched the couple’s Compassionate Conservation movement, aimed at keeping wildlife in the wild. This movement continues to motivate millions of followers and activists across the globe. In 2007, Born Free USA merged with the Animal Protection Institute.

“Have you heard of Bonnets for Abigail? Meet Abigail, the puppy who was gifted amazing headwear from fans around the world after her ear was ripped off by attacking dogs.”

“Bonnets for Abigail — Courageous canine who was victim of dog fighting wins top title of ‘American Hero Dog’ at the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog Awards®”

It’s personal!

When we see human cruelty to animals, we still get shocked. We feel their pain, quite literally. Then we get angry. I think of the Jared Keeso (as Patrol Officer Ben Chartier) line in an episode of 19-2: “We’re supposed to be better than this.”

We really should be more evolved than this.

When the photos of the deadly condition of the pit bull puppy Abigail first appeared online, there was an emotional burst of anger and love. Those first images revealed a mangled dog — her right ear ripped from her head, leaving a raw gash, among other dire injuries from dog attacks (I’m not showing those early photos on this post, but you can find them). [1]

And now Abigail is in the news again. This time in a really good way:

Following nearly a million votes by the American public and the opinions of an expert panel of celebrity animal lovers and dog experts, Abigail, a one-year-old pit mix from Lehigh Acres, Florida has been named this year’s most courageous canine, besting 187 other heroic hounds and capturing the top title of “American Hero Dog” at the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog Awards®…

Abigail is a gal that did not ask for the life she was forced to live. She was found in a horrific condition, barely alive, wandering the streets of Miami, and taken to a rescue center where she was examined. She was anemic and infested with ticks. Scars covered her bloody head, neck, back legs, and half her face was missing with the skin ripped off down to the eardrum.

She smelled terrible because of multiple infections, and was covered in dried mud. Experts suspected she was a victim of dog fighting. Her injuries were at least a week old and she almost lost her life.

Abigail had several major surgeries and extensive skin grafts. She had weeks of hospitalization and daily bandage changes, which led to the launch of her Mission.

Her vet and her vet tech were changing her bandages, and the way they held the gauze on her head made them look like bonnets…

In solidarity people from all over the world started sending bonnets and now the Facebook page “Bonnets for Abigail” has more than 12,000 followers.

Despite the terrible injuries inflicted on her, Abigail is a heroic example of bravery and overcoming, and is using her public platform to teach forgiveness and bring awareness to the importance of ending dog fighting.

For her extraordinary bravery and good works, Abigail won the American Humane Hero Dog Awards’ “Emerging Hero Dog” category for ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things.

A “Galaxy of Stars” Honors Hero Dogs Including Jay Leno and Billy Crystal…

Jay Leno and Billy Crystal provided delightful pre-taped video skits. Richard Marx provided the lead musical performances. Before the show, the audience was treated to the artistry of The Alex Donner Band and a special appearance by Hallmark Channel’s Goodwill Ambassador Happy the Dog.

“The American Humane Hero Dog Awards were created to honor some of the most extraordinary heroes the world has ever known, the very best of our best friends,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization. [2]

“These courageous canines have gone above and beyond the call of duty, saving lives on the battlefield, comforting the ill, aged and afflicted, bringing hope to those who have lost it, and reminding us of the powerful, age-old bond between animals and people.

“All seven category winners tonight exemplify what it means to be a hero, and we hope that their stories – and Abigail’s – will inspire people to value our animal friends and to recognize and honor how much they do for us every day.” [3]

[1] What happened? Who or what had attacked her so savagely? From all the trauma, it was believed that the young Abigail had been a “bait dog.” What is a bait dog? A bait dog is tied out alone and helpless by organized dog fighters to train their “sport” dogs to attack and mutilate an opponent. A terrifying experience. Especially since bait dogs are usually either trusting pets who have been dognapped or puppies not wanted by dog fighters because the pups are too gentle to make effective fighting dogs.

[2] About American Humane: American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org.

[3] The seventh annual Hero Dogs Awards is sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc. and will be broadcast nationally on Hallmark Channel October 26 at 8 pm ET/PT, 7 pm Central Time.

Of Teddy Bears, Grizzly Bears & The National Wildlife Refuge System – A Celebration – Or a Rant?

It’s been 114 years since President Teddy Roosevelt created the National Wildlife Refuge System, the heroic beginning of the idea of saving our endangered wildlife. One hundred and fourteen years!

First it was birds. Then fish. Soon Teddy was “setting aside forest reserves and public lands as game refuges for the preservation of the bison, wapiti, and other large beasts once so abundant in our woods and mountains and on our great plains, and now tending toward extinction.” So fierce was Teddy that he even ordered a detachment of US Marines to Midway Atoll to “prevent the taking of birds and their eggs by Japanese nationals.” Bully for him!

There are humans who really believe that the Earth, our living Blue Planet, belongs just to them. That every other living thing, from a tiny wild strawberry plant in the woods to a giant (and hungry!) wild bear, is just there to be treated as they selfishly please.

When I find a cluster of small red wild strawberries in the shadowed forest, I sample a few of the sweet berries (more delicious than ANY commercial berry) and leave the rest for other wildlife — or to provide seeds for new plants.

When I meet a bear in the wildwood, I remember Grey Owl’s wise words: “Your bear is really a good fellow. He has a humourous outlook on life.” And I remember my father’s teaching: “Don’t be afraid. Never run away from a wild animal.” So, humming a happy tune, I saunter off at an angle.

The only exception, said Dad, was “Skunks. Best to run from a skunk.” And I’ve obeyed that directive, too. Especially if it turned around and, lifting its bushy black and white tail, presented tail-gunner position.

If you’ve read a few of my wandering rants, then you know this about me: I love the forest.

And I love those who have likewise written about it.

“There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the Wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm,” Teddy Roosevelt once commented.

But I think Teddy did a pretty good job of finding those words: “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune…

“We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields and obstructing navigation.

“It is also vandalism to wantonly destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals — not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening.

“It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one’s sum of happiness if he or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder-book of Nature.” [1]

You can see why Teddy Roosevelt remains this ol’ Canadian boy’s favourite US President. Teddy not only found the words, he found the determination, passion and energy to put them into action! Bully for him!

TR’s founding of his National Wildlife Refuge System and National Parks are his greatest gifts to our living planet. He later called them “my proudest achievements.”

“Just a big Teddy Bear?”

While Roosevelt is best remembered in parts of the world (especially northern Europe and the British Isles) because he once spared a bear while on a hunting trip and had a stuffed toy named in his honour, I think that the message must get out:

There was a time when one tough, ornery man who loved the Wilderness and all of the wild creatures who lived there (including bears!) had the grit to stand up to what he called “Shortsighted persons, or persons blinded to the future by desire to make money in every way out of the present” — and to lead in establishing and popularizing the Conservation movement.

What an achievement!

Although the question remains — what has been accomplished in the 108 years since Theodore Roosevelt was President?

Well, President Richard Nixon created the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, bless him.

Remember Acid Rain? Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney began negotiations with President Ronald Reagan in 1986 on the deadly phenomenon. The Canada-US Acid Rain Treaty was signed by Brian Mulroney and President George H W Bush in 1991. Our Great Lakes are showing sure signs of recovery. All because three brave men saw a real problem and found a solution.

But now there is this: Jeff Flocken, North American Regional Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) [2], recently issued the following statement regarding the passage of S J Res 18 in the U.S. Senate and its H J Res 69 incarnation in the House:

“While America is celebrating the 114th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System [3], the U.S. Senate has failed to take a stand for keystone species living on these same public lands. IFAW condemns the passage of S.J. Res. 18 and its House-passed counterpart, H. J. Res. 69, which allow for the killing of iconic animals including grizzlies and wolves — as well as their young — on federal refuge lands across Alaska.

“This lethal legislation will permit the use of barbaric devices like leg-hold traps, which can leave animals struggling and suffering for days, and neck snares that slowly strangle entangled wildlife — all for the purpose of artificially inflating ‘game’ populations. To call these practices cruel is a vast understatement.

“It is deeply concerning that the Senate has taken this step, placing Alaska’s wildlife, habitat and ecological balance in jeopardy. Congress seems intent on doing anything but protecting wildlife on lands that have been set aside for that very purpose.

“Irresponsible policies like S.J. Res. 18/H.J. Res. 69 are not only threatening our native wildlife, but also clearing a path to the reintroduction of extremely inhumane, indiscriminate and unsporting hunting practices on our shared lands,” concluded Jeff Flocken.

In a National Geographic article, Jani Actman and Rachael Bale wrote, “If passed, the measure would open the door to aggressive hunting practices such as shooting bears from airplanes, killing wolves and wolf pups in their dens, and hunting mother bears accompanied by their cubs.”

If this is true, then we’re witnessing something we’d thought we’d never see — the dismantling of Teddy Roosevelt’s spectacular National Wildlife Refuge System!

Just one example of the battle now being waged is the valiant attempt to save the great North American Grizzly bear:

“IFAW and The Northern Lights Wildlife Society, in collaboration with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, are working to give orphaned grizzly bears a second chance,” announced the International Fund for Animal Welfare on its website. This is just one story in the ongoing effort to save our wild bears.

“In 1991, Canada’s Prairie population of Grizzly bears was declared extinct and their future in British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut is in the balance. Human activities have also resulted in the geographic or genetic isolation of several grizzly bear populations — including eight that have been identified in southern British Columbia.

“On July 12, 2008, the first two orphaned grizzly bears in this pilot project, Suzy and Johnny, were released back to the wild. This was the first officially sanctioned grizzly bear release in Canadian history. Both bears were fitted with special satellite collars that allowed researchers to follow them throughout the summer. Since then, two additional Grizzlies were rescued, rehabilitated and released in the summer of 2009. Followed by four in June 2011, bringing the total to eight bears…”

The battle continues, mon ami. Great men and women [4] have gone before us — we’ve got to find that greatness among us again in these darkening times. The reason is both grand and simple…

As Teddy Roosevelt once said: “Wild flowers should be enjoyed unplucked where they grow.”

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Do You Agree with this Wildlife Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

[2] Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow IFAW on Facebook and Twitter.

[3] With the support of fellow members of the patriotic Boone and Crockett Club, Teddy Roosevelt, by Executive Order on March 14, 1903, created the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge along the eastern coast of Florida. This was quickly followed by other wildlife sanctuaries under the umbrella of Teddy’s newly established National Wildlife Refuge System. Today, TR’s Wildlife Refuge System stretches over a total of 95 Million acres, including 544 national wildlife refuges, an area bigger than many countries.

“There are many cats and other animals who haven’t eaten for days and may be lost from their homes. We are eager to help the courageous people who are finding and saving these animals.”

Hurricane Harvey Rescue Cat

One of the more discouraging things coming out of the Hurricane Harvey tragedy for us was being accused of “Loving animals more than people — what’s wrong with you radical animal rights cults?” Lot of anger aimed at us because we love animals. And I think the innocent “snowflake” has a whole other meaning for these guys.

Of course our hearts went out to the people of Texas affected by those torrential rains and awful flooding. We know some of those people — have family there.

As always, our own first response was to give what we could to the Red Cross to help those good folks. Cheered when our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to a request from FEMA, ordered our Royal Canadian Air Force to airlift relief supplies to Texas, including “baby formula, blankets, cribs…”

And it was those people themselves who tore at out hearts with their tearful requests for help in finding their lost pets.

And so we applauded the valiant and caring attempts by such animal rescue groups as the ASPCA, AKC Humane Fund, IFAW Disaster Response Teams, American Humane Rescue Teams, among others…

The story of “Alley Cat Allies” especially caught our attention:

Alley Cat Allies [1] has deployed an expert, bilingual disaster response team and is sending additional resources to help Texas and Louisiana organizations rescue cats and other animals whose lives continue to be in peril because of Hurricane Harvey.

“Many people and animals have been displaced, shelters are overflowing and families were forced to make difficult decisions about what to do with their animals,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies.

“There are many cats and other animals who haven’t eaten for days and may be lost from their homes. We are eager to help the courageous people who are finding and saving these animals.”

In many cases, community cats, sometimes called feral cats, were left on their own when their human caregivers evacuated as floodwaters rose.

The Alley Cat Allies team will help shelters and caregivers throughout Texas and Louisiana to rebuild programs that were in place to help community cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). They will also be forming a network of people to rescue cats, check on colonies, resume feeding them and place new cat houses and shelters as necessary.

“A member of the Alley Cat Allies Rapid Response Team loads a van with supplies and equipment.”

The Alley Cat Allies disaster response team started its work in Spring, a Houston suburb, by assisting the Texas Litter Control (TLC) organization.

TLC requested help as a member of the Alley Cat Allies Feral Friends Network. Alley Cat Allies has brought truckloads of traps, dens and cat carriers, which will all be in high demand. Additional supplies such as leashes, cat food, kitty litter, water, blankets and towels are also being delivered.

In Texas and Louisiana, Alley Cat Allies is offering emergency funds to overwhelmed shelters and organizations. In one such case, the Humane Society of Louisiana (HSLA) has used these funds for two disaster-ready transportation vehicles that are facilitating the rescue of hundreds of animals stranded by floodwaters.

Jeff Dorson, executive director of HSLA, thanked Alley Cat Allies for helping in a second consecutive year, after the organization previously responded to extreme flooding in 2016.

“Once more, Alley Cat Allies has come to our aid in a time of need,” Dorson said. “This critical support is helping us to save cats and other animals who need our help. The generosity, partnership and good-will are helping us to get through some very challenging days as we try to do as much good as we can.”

Alley Cat Allies will post updates about its hurricane relief efforts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, and donations to support its work can be made online at www.alleycat.org.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Did you like this Animal Rescue Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

[1] About Alley Cat Allies: Alley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is “the global engine of change for cats. We protect and improve cats’ lives through our innovative, cutting-edge programs. We are seen around the world as a champion for the humane treatment of all cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than 650,000 supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens worldwide.” Its website is www.alleycat.org, and Alley Cat Allies is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube.

Today’s trade in living wild animals and the parts of slaughtered wildlife has got to be a dark example of Humankind at our most inhuman. It’s just awful.

Cruelty may be part of Nature — but the message of Love and Compassion has also been part of Human nature from the beginning of our Homo Sapiens’ (“Wise Man”) adventure. Back, back to our civilized roots, when we first took wild wolf cubs into our homes, some of us have believed we can be a better part of Creation — and told stories about it.

Francis of Assisi, inspired by the greatest written message of Human history, the Sermon on the Mount, said “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”

And some of the best of us, our sisters, our brothers, are stepping up to do something about it.

One of the oldest trades in wildlife has been of our closest primate relatives: chimps and monkeys as “companion animals.” Today, a number of primate species face extinction because of the pet trade.

The story of just about every primate “companion” is the same: they are captured and taken from their mothers as babies — transported across the world to pet stores — purchased by well-meaning humans — then they grow older, bigger and need more interaction…

The various juvenile chimpanzees who played Tarzan’s Cheetah in movies and television soon became big strong adults and ended up forgotten in cages.

Most actors who portrayed Tarzan, like Ron Ely, accepted the “bites, scratches, sprains and battle scars as part of the territory.” Although actor Mike Henry filed a lawsuit after a chimp named Dinky had “lashed out at me and ripped my jaw open. It took twenty stitches to put my face back together. I was in a monkey-fever delirium for three days…” Mike recovered. Dinky was “destroyed.” [1]

Approximately 60% of the animals at Primarily Primates, a non-profit sanctuary in Bexar County, Texas, are discarded pets. “Typically the animal starts to bite and become aggressive, or picks up a nervous habit, like self-harming or feverishly pacing in the cage, or screaming. Non-human primates are most often abandoned by their owners between the ages of two and eight (depending on the species), after they have started maturing, and sometimes after their owners have had their teeth removed in an effort to restrict their assertive personalities.” [2]

But there is hope. With “illegal wildlife trade being one of the most serious threats to biodiversity,” the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has become one of a number of wildlife and wilderness advocates taking on the war against this heart-rending criminal activity. [3]

Just some of the recent animals being saved are:

1. PATAGONIAN PUMAS. Argentine Pumas, cousins to our North American cougar, are dropping in numbers in the Argentinian wilderness.

Early in the morning on August 23, 2017, IFAW, along with The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) and Forest Animal Rescue (FAR) welcomed two Patagonian Pumas at Miami International Airport. Their arrival signifies a two year effort to ensure the cats receive quality lifetime care in a true sanctuary.

In 2015, a zoo in Rawson, Argentina closed due to lack of funding and public pressure. Many animals were kept behind metal bars in barren cages, including the two pumas.

“We are excited at the opportunity to bring these pumas to Forest Animal Rescue. We are committed to ensuring that wildlife everywhere has the best chance possible to live out their lives as wild as possible given their circumstances. Given the age and history of these cats, that means lifetime care in a true sanctuary – one that doesn’t buy, sell or breed animals. Our success today highlights the importance our partnerships. IFAW works with experts throughout the global animal welfare community to ensure captive wildlife is provided every opportunity to live in peace and comfort,” said Meredith Whitney, IFAW’s Wildlife Rescue Program Officer.

2. MINKE WHALES. A report from the Expert Panel appointed by the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Scientific Committee concluded that Japan’s so-called ‘scientific’ whaling program (“lethal sampling of whales”) was not justified. The announcement was published just three days after the Japanese whaling fleet returned to port after taking its full quota of 333 Minke Whales as part of its Southern Ocean ‘NEWREP-A’ whaling program.

“The bottom line is that another panel of scientific experts again found that Japan had not shown that the proposed kill of whales would yield any scientific benefits. If Japan continues to pursue its whaling agenda in the face of such overwhelming opposition, anti-whaling governments may need to bring international law to bear on Japan once more,” said Matthew Collis, Acting Director of International Environmental Agreements at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

3. SOUTH AFRICAN RHINOS. Experts stated that South Africa’s first ever legal auction of rhinoceros horn enriched a favoured few, and just speeded up the road to extinction for one of the world’s most endangered species. The grisly auction took place on Monday, August 21.

“John Hume (South Africa’s biggest private rhino breeder, who owns about 1,500 rhinoceros) says the profits from the sale of the horn will help him better protect his rhino populations. But the fact that this auction is being so vigorously marketed to the countries that have the highest demand for rhino horn calls into question Hume’s motive, which in IFAW’s opinion is driven by profit and profit alone with no conservation benefit,” explained Dr Joseph Okori, Director for Southern Africa of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a world expert on rhino conservation.

In the last three decades, the total populations of Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus), also known as Barbary Apes, in Morocco and Algeria, have dwindled from around 23,000 to 6,500.

The decrease is due to the destruction of their natural habitat, the cedar forest, and the capture of baby macaques by poachers for the pet trade.

Home of many remarkable species, including these notable endangered Macaques, Morocco is stepping up its efforts to protect its stunning natural habitats and rich wildlife diversity, in a context where wildlife crime often has a striking impact upon natural resources, cultural heritage and even security in many countries and regions of the world.

With illegal wildlife trade being one of the most serious threats to biodiversity, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Moroccan government’s High Commission for Water, Forests, and Combating Desertification (HCEFLCD) are announcing a partnership to strengthen the protection of wildlife and habitats.

“This month’s agreement between IFAW and the HCEFLCD is an opportunity that will allow new initiatives to strengthen the fight against poaching, dismantle wildlife trafficking routes and enhance the rescue and rehabilitation of wild confiscated animals, notably under the framework of the Born to be Wild project, which is currently under discussion between the two parties.”

5. AFRICAN GIRAFFES. In the last 30 years, giraffes have suffered a devastating population decline of almost 40%. Wildlife groups are seeking to save the species from a silent extinction.

A legal petition has been filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society International, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Natural Resources Defense Council, seeking “Endangered” status for the Giraffe. Facing mounting threats from habitat loss, being hunted for their meat, and the international trade in bone carvings and trophies, Africa’s giraffe population has plunged almost 40% in the past 30 years and now stands at just over 97,000 individuals.

“Giraffes have been dying off silently for decades, and we have to act quickly before they disappear forever,” explained Tanya Sanerib, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “There are now fewer giraffes than elephants in Africa. It’s time for the United States to step up and protect these extraordinary creatures.”

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Do You Agree with this Wildlife Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

“My reason for not getting any more apes is that my thoughts on apes have changed over the years. I really think it’s unfair for apes to be made available to trainers anymore. Would you believe that? I’m including myself, even though I love them very much.” Carmine “Buddy” Mennella, Hollywood animal trainer of chimp J Fred Muggs

[1] From “Monkeying Around On The Sets,” Chapter I of THE GREAT SHOW BUSINESS ANIMALS by David Rothel, A S Barnes Co, 1980. Great book! Highly recommended.

[2] https://primarilyprimates.org/inside-the-exotic-pet-trade/

[3] About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare):
“Founded in 1969, IFAW rescues and protects animals around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @action4ifaw.”

When Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, Shannon Walajtys, IFAW Disaster Response Manager, announced, “We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by hurricane Harvey and will do our very best to serve the communities impacted by this storm. We deployed water rescue teams and have emergency sheltering and wildlife rescue teams on standby to respond as soon as needed.”

Illegal Wildlife Trade From Monkeys to Endangered Rhinos

Source: Civilized Bears, International Fund for Animal Welfare and PRNewswire

Along with lions, tigers and rhinos, elephants have become high-profile examples of the hundreds of endangered species facing extinction due to Human stupidity.

Our elephants are the biggest land animals on the planet. We’ve probably all seen a real live elephant up close. Most of us went to the circus and loved it. Loved it until we were awakened to the cruelty.

Might not see them as often as we once did, eh? There must be a whole generation of young folks growing up without ever seeing these magnificent giants up close. Not like we did back in the day.

But a lot of us care. And good news about the protection of these imperiled pachyderms is welcome:

HITN, the leading Spanish-language network that offers educational and entertainment content to more than 44 million households across the United States, announced a partnership with Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), an organization that helps protect endangered species and their natural habitats, to include educational capsules on this topic as part of its programming.

The two-minute long capsules are part of HITN’s “Tu Planeta” block, which airs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern / 3:00 a.m. Pacific. Each installment features information provided by WCN about at-risk animals, such as the African elephant, cotton-top tamarins in Colombia, Andean bears, and Ethiopian wolves.

“HITN’s audience has a strong interest in nature programming and we have made it an integral part of our lineup. We are pleased to join forces with WCN to generate this content, which, in addition to informing viewers, identifies concrete actions they can take to help protect endangered species and the future of our wildlife,” remarked Guillermo Sierra, Head of Television and Digital Services at HITN.

“We are excited to collaborate with HITN in this initiative to reach and educate the Spanish-speaking community about different species that are at risk,” said Stephanie Carnow, Director of Marketing and Communications at WCN. “Together we can raise awareness and educate people about the steps we can take to address the threats facing endangered wildlife around the world.”

WCN is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting independent conservationists around the world by providing them with strategic services and training in areas such as fundraising, marketing, accounting and strategic planning so they can work with communities to protect endangered species.

According to the most recent information from WCN, the planet’s wildlife face numerous threats; from climate change to human-wildlife conflict to illegal wildlife trafficking. Wildlife conservation is tremendously important not only for protecting endangered species, but also for protecting entire ecosystems which thousands of animals, plants, and people rely on. The global community must take immediate action to protect wildlife so that these incredible and important animals will be here for generations to come.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Do you agree with this Wildlife Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

[1] HITN-TV is a leading Spanish-language media company that offers educational and cultural programming for the whole family. It reaches more than 44 million viewers in the US and Puerto Rico via DIRECTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-verse TV, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast, Charter Spectrum, Frontier Mediacom, CenturyLink Prism and Cablevision. For more information, please visit www.hitn.org.

[2] The Wildlife Conservation Network’s (WCN) mission is to protect endangered species and preserve their natural habitats by supporting entrepreneurial conservationists who pursue innovative strategies for people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive. WCN invests technically and financially in a select network of conservation partners to ensure their mission success, and creates large-scale, range-wide Crisis and Recovery Funds to support the best ideas to end extinction crises and bring wildlife back from the brink. Learn more about WCN’s unique approach to saving wildlife, or learn more about WCN’s conservation partners and their most compelling initiatives. The Wildlife Conservation Network is proud to have a number one rating for wildlife conservation organizations on Charity Navigator — with four stars and a perfect 100 score—and platinum status with Guidestar. Please visit www.wildnet.org.

As A Capstone To His Heralded Career, Renowned American Photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen Unveils His “Legacy Reserve Collection”

“By purchasing one of these special fine art photographs, collectors get a rare invitation to go wildlife watching with Mangelsen in Jackson Hole and join him for dinner with the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall.”

A hundred years ago, one of the most beloved artists portraying our American and Canadian wilderness, and all the wild creatures that lived there, was Charles Livingston Bull.

Charles Livingston Bull (1874- 1932) has been remembered as “the premier wildlife artist of his time in America, perhaps the best of his kind in the world. He drew and painted realistic animals, a subject he explored through literature.” [1]

I’m an aging Boomer, but not that old. Not old enough to have seen those glorious paintings and pen and ink drawings of Charles Bull when they were first published in magazines and books. Artwork that illustrated some of the top nature writers of his day: Jack London, Charles G D Roberts, Edgar Rice Burroughs, George Marsh…

I discovered his magnificent images in classic books given me by older folks, as well as in nearby libraries. And loved ’em.

And collected them.

And still treasure them.

Today, those great wildlife artists seem almost forgotten. Or maybe replaced by a whole new generation of artists — the wildlife photographers.

Like Thomas D. Mangelsen.

Tom Mangelsen’s popular Catch of the Day (see top of this page) has become almost iconic, an image we wild bear aficionados dote on.

Thomas D. Mangelsen is now hailed as one of the foremost American nature photographers of the last 50 years, often earning comparisons to the great Ansel Adams.

Mangelsen’s dramatic portrayals of wildlife and breathtaking landscapes are collected by connoisseurs around the world, all seeking scenes that bring big visual impact into their homes and offices.

One of the most recognizable wildlife photographs of all time, Thomas D. Mangelsen’s Catch of the Day (1988), sold out since the early nineties, is the flagship image of the Legacy Reserve Collection.

Imagine if by owning one of Mangelsen’s best known and coveted images — photographs soon to be showcased in a nationally-touring museum exhibition — you could also spend personal time with the legendary photographer at his home in Jackson Hole watching iconic wildlife?

And what if, in addition, you could accompany Mangelsen on a search for grizzly bears then have dinner with his good friend, Dr. Jane Goodall, one of the most famous conservationists who has ever lived?

The Mangelsen Legacy Reserve Collection takes the thrill of owning fine visual art to a whole new level, giving collectors the opportunity to have a rarefied experience they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.

The premium photographs being featured in Mangelsen’s new Legacy Reserve, made available for the first time in August 2017, are in an edition size of only 20 and represent “the best of Mangelsen’s best” and the last chance to collect these special images.

When an individual purchases a Legacy Reserve, the collector and a guest are then invited to have a day of wildlife watching followed by dinner with Mangelsen and Goodall at his rustic home, located near the foot of the majestic Teton Mountain Range. So often with fine art, collectors are seldom able to have personal, meaningful contact with the artists whose work they savor.

A limited number of spaces are available for Legacy Reserve members to join Mangelsen and Goodall in autumn 2018, the most spectacular time to be in Wyoming.

Among the photographs included in the Legacy Reserve Collection is Mangelsen’s heralded Catch of the Day, praised as being one of the most famous wildlife images ever taken. All of the Legacy Reserve images are photographs that have either earned Mangelsen critical international praise or been singled out as some of the most important of all time in advancing the cause of wildlife conservation.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to important conservation organizations including the Jane Goodall Institute. These images are also a part of the major Mangelsen museum retrospective, “A Life in The Wild” soon to appear nationwide. For more information, collectors can go to mangelsen.com/legacy or visit a Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Did you like this Wildlife Art Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

“Global momentum to shut down ivory markets provides reason to celebrate on World Elephant Day 2017.”

It’s World Elephant Day 2017 and “millions of animal lovers around the world are raising a cheer for nature’s biggest land animal, the elephant.”

Here’s the strangest part: most of us first saw real live elephants at the circus. I know I did, as a boy, when the Clyde Beatty Circus came to town. We loved ’em. Loved those harnessed giant animals trotting so proudly into centre ring — loved their scantily clad female riders. It was only later when the stories of cruelty to circus animals came out that we welcomed the closing of those circuses. [1]

We don’t get to see live elephants much anymore — but we still love ’em.

It’s World Elephant Day. And time to look at what’s going on.

“On this World Elephant Day we are celebrating the global momentum to shut down all ivory markets. Awareness and action are definitely leading to change. That said, we need to keep the pressure on and close the door for good to stop the killing and stop the trade. Ivory trade anywhere threatens elephants everywhere,” stated Grace Ge Gabriel, Asia Regional Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) [2].

“HEY LOOK GUYS! SOMEDAY I’M GONNA HAVE BIG TUSKS! ISN’T IT GREAT?”

At a time when it is estimated that at least 20,000 elephants a year are poached for their ivory, IFAW is advocating for a complete ban on international ivory trade, the closure of domestic ivory markets wherever they occur and the destruction of ivory stockpiles.

Just this week, eBay declared they are advocating for laws to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in partnership with IFAW.

Other recent positive developments include the announcement by China to close down its commercial ivory markets by the end of 2017; the US finalizing its near-total ivory ban in 2016; calls by Australia and the European Union for a ban on ivory sales; the UK Big Ivory Surrender and the destruction by many countries — most recently the US — of stockpiles of confiscated ivory.

Here’s the frightening news. Grace Ge Gabriel has explained that rampant ivory trade in the past ten years had heightened fear for the survival of elephants, with more than 100,000 elephants poached for the illegal trade between 2010 and 2012; at least 13 seizures of consignments of smuggled ivory weighing more than 800 kg each in 2011; and the disappearance due to poaching of 62% of the population of forest elephants.

“To end the poaching of elephants, we have to smash every link on the trade chain, from market supply to consumer demand,” Grace added.

IFAW works with international organizations such as INTERPOL and national law enforcement bodies to combat wildlife and environmental crime. In collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), IFAW started a pilot project in Kenya called tenBoma, which uses the newest data technology to enable rangers and enforcers to stop poachers before they kill.

In consumer countries like China, IFAW is raising awareness to stop people from buying wildlife products and is conducting educational sessions to equip enforcers with the necessary expertise to detect illegal wildlife products.

As Grace Ge Gabriel has concluded, “Killing elephants for their ivory, slaughtering tigers for their pelts and bones, and fatally hacking the horns off rhinos have reached epidemic proportions in recent years.”

The battle continues.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Do you agree with this Wildlife Post?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

[1] “Animal Rights, Circuses, Tarzan & PETA XXX” — A Remembrance of Boyhood Heroes… When I was a kid in the late 1950’s, I loved the circus. What boy didn’t? When the Clyde Beatty Circus came to foggy old Saint John City… To read the complete post, go to Animal Rights, Circuses, Tarzan & PETA XXX

[2] About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare):
“Founded in 1969, IFAW rescues and protects animals around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on social at @action4ifaw and Facebook/IFAW.”

World Elephant Day 2017 – Save The Elephants

Source: Civilized Bears, International Fund for Animal Welfare and PRNewswire

Saving Baby Fiona: Science, Social Media, and the Story of a Baby Hippo

I have mixed feelings about zoos.

For me, they lie somewhere between circuses and wildlife preserves.

Circuses have outlived their time. Too much animal cruelty. Wildlife sanctuaries have become a necessity. Poachers and greedy nonames have endangered too many species…

Zoos? It depends on the facility, eh? Good ones can work as halfway sanctuaries.

Even for hippos. The wild hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius — “water horse”) is under attack. Poachers are hunting them for their meat and ivory canine teeth. Their watery African habitat is disappearing due to human encroachment.

When Baby Fiona was born in the Cincinnati Zoo, we couldn’t help it. Awww. Who knew that a baby hippopotamus could be so cute? Although zookeeper Jenna Wingate told reporters that Fiona was soon “a little bit dangerous to actually cuddle and snuggle.”

Our strongest weapon against the cruel extinction of so many species is education. Especially of our children. So this is good news:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers [1] has announced that it will publish SAVING FIONA: Science, Social Media, and the Story of a Baby Hippo about the hippopotamus born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, whose “growth and reintroduction to her family made her an internet sensation.”

Written by Thane Maynard, director of the zoo, SAVING FIONA will be heavily illustrated with color photographs and written for elementary-school aged readers. The author’s proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden [2].

Born on January 24, 2017, nearly two months prematurely, Fiona weighed just 29 lbs, which is less than half the normal birth weight of a hippo. The book will cover her surprise birth, the struggle to save her when she wasn’t growing or eating properly, and the remarkable achievements she has made since, including the recent reunion with her entire family.

Behind-the-scenes photographs and exclusive interviews with the zoo staff will give readers an intimate look at the inner workings of a zoo, and the relationships the caregivers have with the animals that live there.

Videos of Fiona posted to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s social media accounts have reached up to 50 million viewers. Her struggle for survival and the intense care and love she’s been shown have captured hearts and international attention. Using the hashtag #TeamFiona, donations have come in from people around the world, helping the Zoo provide 24-hour-a-day care for Fiona.

“Fiona’s incredible story of survival and hope captured all of us at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and we’re delighted to bring readers behind the scenes at the Cincinnati Zoo where Thane Maynard’s hardworking team dedicated itself to saving the world’s favorite baby hippo. Readers will enjoy an inside look at this one-of-a-kind story that features cutting edge science, community support, and unexpected social media fame,” says Catherine Onder, SVP and Publisher, HMH Books for Young Readers.

Maynard is internationally recognized for his dedication to wildlife preservation, research and education. He has authored more than a dozen books, the most recent, HOPE FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR WORLD, was coauthored with Jane Goodall. He has also shared science and environmental news via his nationally-syndicated radio program, “The 90-Second Naturalist,” for 30 years.

SAVING FIONA: Science, Social Media, and the Story of a Baby Hippo will be published on January 22, 2019 in advance of Fiona’s second birthday. Erica Zappy of HMH’s Books for Young Readers group acquired world rights.

– Brian Alan Burhoe

Did you like this Book Review?

IF SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL STORY:

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

[1] For nearly two centuries, HMH Trade Publishing has published some of the world’s most renowned novels, nonfiction, children’s books, and reference works. As part of a leading global learning company, it is uniquely positioned to offer educational and entertaining content for all audiences. Its distinguished author list includes ten Nobel Prize winners, forty-eight Pulitzer Prize winners, fifteen National Book Award winners, and more than one hundred Caldecott, Newbery, Printz, and Sibert Medal and Honor recipients. HMH publishes such distinguished authors as Philip Roth, Temple Grandin, Tim O’Brien, and Amos Oz, and a celebrated roster of children’s authors and illustrators including Kwame Alexander, Lois Lowry, and Chris Van Allsburg. HMH is also home to The Best American series®; The Whole30®, Weber Grill, Betty Crocker®, Better Homes and Gardens®, How to Cook Everything®, and other leading lifestyle properties; the Peterson Field Guides®; CliffsNotes™; books by J.R.R. Tolkien; and many iconic children’s books and characters, including Curious George®, The Little Prince, and The Polar Express. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com/popular-reading.

[2] The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It has been rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today and TripAdvisor. Over 1.5 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. Known as the #GreenestZooInAmerica, the Zoo is doing its part to conserve natural resources that are critical to saving wildlife and its habitats and is committed to greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment through the use of rain gardens, recycled building materials, solar panels and more. The Cincinnati Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Photo of Fiona by Kathy Newton for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden